Dog colds: can a dog get a cold from humans, remedies and preventive measures

Dogs get runny noses. They also sneeze and cough. While these symptoms may be indicative of dog allergies, the same when observed in humans are signs of a cold. With this in mind, can a dog get a cold? If it can, is the human cold contagious to dogs? We delve into these questions and also discuss various home remedies for dog colds.

Can a Dog Get a Cold?

While colds are common in human beings, can a dog get a cold and do dogs catch colds from humans? These are common concerns when dog owners see their pets exhibiting symptoms of a cold such as those seen in human beings. These canines are prone to dog colds. This is mostly never serious but can at times develop to something dangerous.

It is therefore important to understand the cold so that you can know how and when to treat it as well as ways on how to protect your dog. In case the cold turns to pneumonia, this can be fatal. Pet colds should therefore be taken seriously.

According to 2ndchance.info, old and young pets are the most vulnerable. Young puppies are yet to develop fully which makes them more susceptible. With the older dogs, there is a change in their nasal membranes with age which tends to worsen their immune system as well as infections.

Ceasarsway.com goes further to explain that there is no natural immunity in dogs for the cold virus and it is easily transmitted between dogs.

An infected dog can pass the virus on to another dog through respiratory secretions. These include coughing, sneezing and panting.

It is also communicable through contact with contaminated items. To learn how to tell if your pet has a dog cold, we discuss the symptoms below.

Symptoms of Dog Cold

In most cases, symptoms of dog colds are obvious. However, according to the Webmd.com, up to 20 percent of dogs show no dog cold symptoms. As such, it is not always that you will notice that your dog has the flu. For those that show, here are some of the signs that your dog has a cold.

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• A runny nose

The above are the most common symptoms. Another symptom that may set in is a fever.A low grade fever is an indication that the fever is just kicking in.

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However, if the dog has the following symptoms, you should see the vet.

• Drooling
• Shaking
• Vomiting
• Rapid breathing
• Anxiety
• Flaring nose
• Wheezing
• Panting

Where any of these is observed, one should visit the vet immediately. If left unattended, the dog could get too sick as these could be indicative of other serious conditions such as parainfluenza, kennel cough, pneumonia, distemper or some other upper respiratory infection. For dogs that have been boarded in the recent past and which may be having a consistent dry cough, they could be suffering kennel

Dogs with Colds Home Remedies

In most cases, dog colds tend to improve within a few days. These may therefore not need a visit to the vet. There however are some things that can be done to help alleviate the symptoms fast. In case you are wondering what to give a dog for a cold, these home remedies will go a long way in helping it cope well with the cold. Administer them to help a dog with a cold get over it.

Chicken Soup for Dog Colds

Just like in human beings, broth or soup from chicken can do a lot of good for your dog. It helps to keep him well hydrated and relaxed. Make some home-made soup for your dog as commercial ones may contain high sodium content. In addition, ensure that your dog gets enough food. Keep encouraging him to eat as the dog cold may see him having reduced appetite.

Keep the Dog Warm to Alleviate Cold Symptoms

In the duration that your dog is suffering the cold it is necessary to show him some tender love and care. Keep your pooch warm. You can achieve this by wrapping a blanket around him. During the winter you can raise temperatures using a heater.

In case the dog ventures outside when it is cold, make sure they keep warm once inside. The period to which they get exposed to the cold weather should be minimal for the sake of their health. Do not leave dogs in the cold for too long.

Fluids to Fight Colds in Dogs

Dog colds are accompanied by a runny nose. In case your dog is dehydrated, he may end up getting nasal congestion. A stuffy nose is quite irritating for a dog. To prevent this, hydration is important.

Ensure your dog takes enough fluids to help him deal the best with the cold. This is even when the dog tries to avoid water.

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Keep an eye on your pooch and keep encouraging him to take it. In addition to water, chicken soup can also help in keeping him hydrated and thus fight the dog cold.

Humidify to Fight Dog Cold

When there is a pet suffering a cold, it is important to keep the house steamed up. This will help to keep his nasal passage moist and open.

You can achieve this by running some hot water in the bathroom and allow the dog to sit in the steamed up place without getting into the water. Let him breathe in the moisture for about 10 minutes.

You could also purchase a vaporizer for your home. By so doing, the congestion that comes with the cold is eased.

Use Colloidal Silver for Canine Colds

This is a well-known remedy for dog colds. How much is given to a dog depends on its weight and age. Contact your veterinarian for the correct dosage.

Elderberry Extract to get Rid of Signs of cold in Dogs

This is yet another great herbal remedy for colds in dogs. It works well in dogs just as in humans. The remedy can be used not only for healing purposes but for preventive reasons as well. This remedy will do great in alleviating your pet’s respiratory distress.

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Quarantine Sick Dogs

In case your home has more than one dog, it is important to take preventive measures the moment one gets a cold. Ensure that the one with a cold is separated from the rest. This will help contain the virus and prevent the dog cold from spreading to the other canines.

Can Dogs Catch Colds from Humans?

Since both humans and dogs get colds, can my dog catch my cold? Where there was someone with the cold before the dog, people will start wondering- did my dog get a cold from me? Other related questions normally are:

• Can dogs catch colds from humans?
• Can dogs get cold sores?

According to pet360.com, a dog cannot catch a cold from human beings. Your pooch can only catch dog cold while humans can only catch human cold. This is because the cold germs in each species can only affect the specific host. In the same way, dogs with cold sores do not get them from humans. In canines, mouth sores are caused by canine herpes virus which is different from the human herpes virus.

The fact that your pooch could suffer a cold when everyone else in the house hold has one and show the same symptoms as you do is just a coincidence.

The reason why this happens is as a result of the activity and prevalence of the cold viruses around the same time especially during the winter.

This makes it common for pets and humans to suffer colds at the same time. Do not be scared of snuggling your pet in case either of you is suffering a cold as there is no way you can pass it on to each other.

Some dogs may not be well prepared to deal with the cold. Where this is the case, a dosage of antibiotics may be necessary for full recovery. This is more so in puppies and older dogs. In such cases, the best thing to do is to take the dog to the vet. There they will receive appropriate dog cold treatment for fast recovery. The same should apply where the symptoms don’t seem to improve or where the dog appears to be getting worse.

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